Ignacio Sanchez CarmonaOxnard, CAIgnacio "Nacho" Sanchez Carmona, of Oxnard, who celebrated his 100th birthday in December, passed away peacefully Sunday, March 26, 2017 at St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Ignacio was born on Dec. 8th, 1916 in Ocotlan, Jalisco, Mexico. In 1923, the Carmona family came to the U.S. to escape the Mexican Revolution. Ignacio lived and attended school in Los Angeles for approximately 9 years. After school and on weekends he worked washing cars, selling fruit, and helped out at a gas station to help support his family.After his father lost his job, Ignacio along with his family moved to Oxnard where he began his 80+ year residency. He attended Woodrow Wilson Junior High School and worked in the fields picking lima beans and lemons. As Ignacio grew older, he worked on cars, worked at Villa Real Market where he learned about managing a business, and then worked as a blacksmith for Matt Shriner, repairing farm equipment.During World War II, the Takasugi family, owners of the Asahi Market, were ordered into a Japanese-American Internment Camp. A business deal was agreed upon with a HANDSHAKE, when Ignacio offered to run the business. Upon Takasugi's return, Ignacio, keeping his promise, handed back the keys to the store, which was featured in a book written by Tom Brokaw, "The Greatest Generation." Ignacio married his beloved wife Emma on June 25, 1944. Several months after his marriage, Ignacio was drafted into the Army and had to leave his wife, who was pregnant, to serve his country. Ignacio received his citizenship, on June 21, 1946.In 1945, Ignacio returned with a deferment from the Army, to help his mother care for her 6 grandchildren. Being the eldest son, he felt the obligation to help his parents raise his nieces and nephews, after his sister passed away. Ignacio went back to work for Matt Shriner performing blacksmith work and also learned how to weld. He then went to work for Bush-Metcalf's General Motors and Packard Dealership for 15 years and became a full-fledged licensed mechanic. He wanted to open his own business, which lead him to open "Carmona's Richfield Gas Station & Auto Repair" in La Colonia in 1961.Ignacio enjoyed attending family gatherings, loved music and singing, and was very active in the Ventura County Community. He served on the Grand Jury in 1969, on the Parks & Harbor Commission from 1973-1988, served as Chairman of Colonia Neighborhood Council from 1974-1981, the Juvenile Justice Commission from 1975-1987, the Ventura County Parks & Recreation Commission from 1974-1989, and on the Building Committee for Oxnard School District in 1994. Ignacio was a distinguished citizen and received "Oxnard's Distinguished Citizen of the Year" award in 1986 for all of his volunteerism and service to the community. Ignacio was also a member of The American Legion and was a Lifetime Member of The Veterans of Foreign Wars.He was preceded in death by his parents Jose and Soledad Carmona, five siblings, and his wife Emma. He is survived by his seven children, Max (Susan) Pina Sr. of Fillmore, Arthur (Lorraine) Carmona Sr., Ruben Carmona Sr., Lilian Magana, Ignacio (Dianne) Carmona Jr., all of Oxnard, James Carmona Sr. of Las Vegas, David (Pat) Carmona Sr., also of Oxnard, 22 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers Angel Carmona and Alfred Carmona (Annie), numerous nieces, nephews and friends. A special thank you to all the wonderful caregivers and staff at Oxnard Family Circle, Glenwood Care Center, Assisted Hospice Program at Applegate Assisted Living Home nurses Dawn and Ali, and Brookdale Camarillo Assisted Living, for the special care they provided to our father.Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 02, 2017 from 10:00a.m. to 9:00p.m. with a rosary to be recited at 6:00p.m. at the Garcia Mortuary Chapel in Oxnard. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30a.m. on Monday, April 03, 2017 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Oxnard. Interment to follow at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park in Camarillo, California.To sign the family's on line guestbook, share stories, and post pictures please visit our website: www.garciamortuaryoxnard.com and click on Ignacio's name located below "Obituaries."Funeral arrangements are under the direction of GARCIA MORTUARY, 629 South A Street, Oxnard. For further information, please call (805) 486-9148.